Cao Rui was surprised by the two people recommended by Sima Yi, but after careful thought, he realized that both were suitable talents.
Cui Lin had served as the governor of You Province, and it would be like reversing an early case if he were to be transferred from the Grand Examination Minister to You Province again. However, reversing cases is not a problem, as another party involved, Wu Zhi, had passed away in Luoyang earlier this year.
What really troubled Cao Rui was Wu Zhou.
Whenever Cao Rui heard the name Wu Zhou, he would always think of some fleeting dynasty from later times.
Wu Zhou has two notable labels.
The first is his expertise in military affairs, during which he served as the protector of Zhou Zhao's troops at the frontline against Wu. Wu Zhou had once had a falling out with Zhou Zhao. Despite Zhou Zhao's great achievements in deterring the advance of Sun Ce at Xiao Yua Ding, he was unable to force Wu Zhou out of the military and was even rebutted.
The second is that he was an old subordinate of Sima Yi.
Sima Yi's political career mainly revolved around three places: Emperor Wu's ruling court, the Procuratorate, and the Shangshu Tai. During Sima Yi's term as the Imperial Censor of State, Wu Zhou served as an Under Procurator alongside Zheng Huan, Yang Mi, and Bo Xun.
Zheng Huan was currently the governor of Wei Prefecture, with the city of Ye being under his jurisdiction.
Yang Mi is deceased, and his nephew, Yang Can, now serves as a military advisor to the General in Chencang, and is also the son-in-law of Xin Pi.
As for Bo Xun, it's unnecessary to mention that when Cao Pi wanted to sentence Bo Xun to death, Sima Yi had worked hard to save his life.
Sima Yi's previous posts, appointments, and subordinates were all engraved in Cao Rui's mind.
Sima Yi's other subordinate, Chen Jiao, is serving as the governor of Qinzhou, and his friend Jiang Ji is the governor of Yangzhou. Is there a need to add another person as the governor of Yingzhou?
Yes, one in the west, one in the east, and one in the north.
Although Sima Yi had many staff members in the Office of the Scriptories, it was impossible to avoid any issues completely. However, it should not be allowed to happen.
This matter is even unrelated to Sima Yi's personal loyalty. It is a matter of balancing the court, and adjustments need to be made.
Cao Rui spoke: "Cui Lin had previously been wronged. It is only appropriate to let him return to You Province as a consolation. As for Wu Zhou, there is already Wang Chang, who is a military expert, serving as the military commander in Yingzhou. There is no need for another military expert."
"Prepare the imperial edict," Cao Rui commanded calmly: "Kui Lin, an esteemed scholar in the Grand College of Academics and an adept at governance, is hereby appointed as the governor of You Province. Wang Xiong, the prefectural governor of Chenliu, has long served on the frontier and deserves commendation for his diligence. He is therefore appointed as the military commander of Yingzhou. He shall immediately assume office upon receiving this imperial decree!"
"Understood," Lu Yu responded beside him, taking over the task of drafting the edict.
Sima Yi bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. It is the subject's shortcomings in thinking. Wang Wen Shu has served as a senior official in the bureaucracy for a long time. If we talk about his knowledge of military affairs, he should be among the top few in the court. It's unnecessary to transfer Wu Zhou to Yingzhou again."
"No harm done."
Cao Rui chuckled lightly, "As for the prefectural governor of Chenliu, it's not a big deal. But we're now short on a Grand Examination Minister."
After looking around and finding no one to respond, Cao Rui smiled and said, "How about the Assistant Grand Priest of Chongwen Observatory and Caotou King Cao Zhi? What are your opinions, ministers?"
With the growing influence of the Six Ministries, the functions of the Nine Officers have naturally diminished over time. The Grand Minister of Foreign Affairs, who manages tributary states and foreign affairs, has especially fallen in rank gradually.
Sima Yi replied, "After all, the Grand Minister of the Six Ministries has gone to You Province, and Cao Zhi has been appointed as an actual post at Chongwen Observatory. Even as an Assistant Grand Priest, it's already a great favor from the High and Mighty Emperor. Now, to make him a Nine Officer, that would truly be a great honor for our family."
Just now, Sima Yi did not try to argue for Wu Zhou. But letting Cao Zhi become a Nine Officer was a bit too much.
The emperor can be indifferent.
Cao Zhi is, after all, the Emperor's blood-connected uncle, and has received the great favor of being reinstated and used again by the Emperor. If he does not remain loyal to the Emperor, it will be difficult for others to tolerate him. Moreover, since their father Cao Pi has passed away, it is only natural that the brotherly enmity between the two should be forgotten. Uncle and nephew are equally important.
Sima Yi cannot afford to be indifferent!
Sima Yi replied, "As the number one conspirator in helping Cao Pi establish his legitimacy during the struggle for the throne, how could Cao Zhi forget the fate of his allies like Yang Xiu and Ding Yi, who died because of their involvement in this matter?"
Has it really resurrected from the ashes?
Sima Yi thought rapidly in his heart and then took a step forward, solemnly saying, "Your Majesty, I have something from the bottom of my heart to report. I hope Your Majesty will allow me to make my appeal."
Cao Rui turned to Sima Yi and asked, "What is it that makes you so polite? What matter do you want to report?"
Sima Yi said, "Your Majesty, as the brother of the late Emperor Cao Pi, Caotou King Cao Zhi was involved in the struggle for succession and occupied a suspicious position. However, Your Majesty has not only reinstated him to a respected position but also elevated him to a rank of 2000 grains of rice. This is already an immense favor. As someone renowned for his literary talents rather than administrative abilities, it is uncertain whether he will be able to gain the respect of others due to his young age. Therefore, Your Majesty should carefully consider this matter."
Cao Rui nodded lightly, "What is General Man's opinion?"
Man Chong slightly lowered his head and said, "Military is my responsibility as a minister. Matters such as these are beyond my abilities to discuss."
Sima Yi cursed silently in his heart. The West Hall had been involved in various matters by interfering with military affairs, but now they were pretending to be deaf and mute?
Man Chong did not make a clear statement, but by not doing so, he had effectively clarified his position.
Xu Shu explicitly agreed, while Pei Qian and Lu Yu, like Man Chong, did not make a statement. The remaining three, Liu Xie, Wen Qin, and Mo Qiu Jian, were not even asked by the emperor.
Sima Yi did not have to think about these three. They were all close confidants of the emperor, and the emperor would never allow them to go against his will.
As the emperor continued to question, Sima Yi gradually felt a bit exhausted. If the Emperor had returned from suppressing the rebellions in Yanling and seen Cao Zhi upon his return, Sima Yi would have been present in Chenliu. Where was he now?
Cao Rui looked at Sima Yi with a half-smile, "All the ministers believe that Caotou King Cao Zhi is qualified. Do you, Marquis Sima, have any objections?" Sima Yi heaved a deep sigh within his heart.
It's not surprising. During the struggle for the throne, these people were all out of the Emperor's party and were all serving as governors or officials in different provinces, so they had nothing to do with it and were thus fine.
The points he should have made earlier were already clearly stated. The struggle for succession, the lack of administrative talent, and his young age could not be overlooked. However, the Emperor did not take any of these into consideration.
Should he go along with the emperor's wishes or stick to his own stance?
Sima Yi's mind battled between heaven and earth, and in an instant, he made up his mind.
Sima Yi continued to bow solemnly, "I believe it would be best not to grant such power to Caotou King Cao Zhi. Does Your Majesty not remember the rumors in Luoyang during the campaign to suppress the rebellions in Nanhua in Taihe Year One, that Caotou King Cao Zhi was to be declared the emperor?"
Cao Rui's expression gradually became more serious. "Rumors were spread by people from the Xun family, and the government has already dealt with them. Why can't my family members serve as Nine Officers?"
"I dare not!" Sima Yi immediately bowed and apologized, and beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.
That was a rather severe remark.
If Sima Yi was the only one serving as the Steward, Sima Yi would be unafraid. He would not be removed from office for giving a few pieces of advice.
But his younger brother Sima Fu was the governor of Xiliang, and his cousins were also Nine Officers in Luoyang. The prosperity of the clan is not a result of the efforts of one person. If they were implicated in this matter, it would cause great trouble for them.
Cao Rui said with a hint of surprise, "Steward Sima, why are you so worried? I have no intention of blaming you! It's all for the sake of the court. When have I ever punished someone for their words?"
Sima Yi bowed and greeted with a respectful gesture, "Your servant's negligence in not recalling the Emperor's strategy of broadly appointing members of the royal family is a mistake. Please punish Your servant!"
Cao Rui raised his eyebrows, "I said that just now. There is no need for the Steward to be so formal. Since all the vacancies have been filled, how to stabilize Liaodong, I will also consult with ministers today."
"Steward, yesterday you mentioned to me the four key matters for stabilizing Yingzhou. You may discuss them with the ministers."
"Understood, Your Majesty." Sima Yi calmed down and continued, "The four important matters are: 1) Deploying troops, 2) Relocating the people, 3) Withdrawing troops, and 4) Dealing with the Xianbei."
Cao Rui nodded: "Let's start with the deployment of troops. According to Du Xu's account, the military forces during Gong Sun Wu's rule are too far in the past and cannot be verified. During Gong Sun Kang and Gong Sun Cong's rule, the military strength of Yanling was about 30,000. Among them, there were about 7,000 to 8,000 cavalrymen, mostly light cavalry, with the rest being infantry."
"What should be the scale of the military stationed in Yingzhou by the Great Wei? Should it follow the old precedent of 30,000 soldiers, or should it be more or less?"
Man Chong bowed and said, "The subject believes that it should be less. At that time, the Gong Sun family had to deal with surrounding countries and also defend against the Great Wei. Now that the Great Wei has suppressed Yanling and has arrived in Yingzhou, these troops can be saved."
"Can we just give an approximate number?" Cao Rui asked.
Man Chong remained silent for a few moments and said, "Although the military stationed in Yingzhou does not need to be as large as 30,000, at least 25,000 are necessary. What do You think, Your Majesty?"
Cao Rui did not give a direct answer: "Draft some from the interior and raise some more in Yingzhou? Both infantry and cavalry need to be left."
Liu Xie interjected at this moment, "Your Majesty, I believe that if we follow General Man's suggestion of having a force of 25,000 in Yingzhou, the foreign troops from various parts of the Great Wei's interior would at least account for 10,000."
"As for the four things you mentioned earlier, I heard that there was a mention of 'withdrawing troops.' Why not select the elite among the war captives to return to Henan and garrison there? With foreign troops as the backbone, it would be easier to provide food and supplies for the local army in Yingzhou."
Sima Yi also bowed and said, "This is exactly what I intended. Gong Sun Yuan heavily relied on military power with a force of 50,000. We can select 10,000 capable soldiers from them to accompany the capital in Luoyang and prevent the old troops of the Gong Sun family from causing trouble in Yanling."
Cao Rui said, "This is feasible. The problem is where to draw the foreign troops to be sent to Liaodong."
Man Chong replied, "The subject believes that 2,000 cavalry and 8,000 troops from the prefectures and circuits of Hebei should be drawn from the main army, along with the 10,000 foreign troops. With this force, it should be sufficient."
Cao Rui nodded, "As you say. Let us follow your advice. I will leave 10,000 troops in Yanling, and the remaining military affairs such as training and organization will be handled by Wang Chang here. It is precisely what he is good at."
"Continue, Steward."
Sima Yi continued, "By the term 'relocating the people,' I mean to relocate many families of officials who served under the Gong Sun family from the four districts of Yingzhou. The prefectural administrator of Yanling, Du Xu, has already roughly calculated that about 26,000 people should be relocated."
Cao Rui said, "The previous estimate was 30,000 people, right?"
Sima Yi nodded, "The original plan was to have 30,000 people, but the actual number is 26,000. It needs to be completed before August 23rd."
Cao Rui interrupted, "Having gained experience with the migration in Hancheng, this should not be difficult. General Man, how many troops are needed to accompany and monitor this process?"
Man Chong thought for a moment: "If it's by sea, I believe 3,000 cavalry would be sufficient."
"By sea?" Cao Rui was confused for a moment. "General Man, do you mean to transport the relocated people by sea to Quanzhou, and then on to Yecheng?"
Man Chong smiled and said, "If we can transport supplies, we should also be able to transport troops through Liaokou. It seems reasonable to assume that the relocation of civilians would also pose no problems. Mr. Sun can first return to Quanzhou by land and then escort the group to Yecheng." (Chapter ends)
